Jones can make Ashes case against Warne and co

Simon Jones will aim to clinch his place in this summer's First Test and score an Ashes point or two over the next few days.

Jones' hopes of playing against Bangladesh at Lord's next week looked to be fading when he missed two consecutive four-day matches because of a back injury.

But the Glamorgan fast bowler came through Tuesday's C&G second round defeat by Hampshire without any problems and can now confirm his fitness to the selectors during a championship match against the same opponents today.

A good performance by Jones at the Rose Bowl between now and Monday would be a boost for England, a real tonic for bottom-ofthe-table Glamorgan and, perhaps, a hint of possible difficulties to come for the two Ashesparty Aussies - Shane Warne and Simon Katich - in Hampshire's side.

Both of the Australians had failed at the crease before their county defeated Glamorgan in the C&G contest, with Jones having Warne caught behind.

Hampshire, though, are on a real high in the championship and a victory over Glamorgan - who have lost all of their four-day games so far this season - could put Warne's team at the top of division one.